Each week the WTIP news staff compiles a review of news from the previous five days. School alert covers northern Minnesota, the PCA makes Minntac rulings and the Army Corps stops pipeline work…all this and more in the week’s news.

The National Weather Service predicted wind gusts of up to 50 mph Friday, Nov. 18 and apparently that was the case this afternoon.

WTIP received reports of several trees down this evening, the first on Highway 61 in Grand Marais, right next to the North House Folk School/North Shore Title building (sometimes called the old Forest Service building.) The large pine crushed the hood of a parked car belonging to Sheila Wieben of Grand Marais. Trees also blew down on the North House campus, causing damage to a parked pickup. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Julie Collman told WTIP that MnDOT responded quickly and got the large pine cleared quickly. Large trees also fell on Highway 61 near Cascade State Park and in the Hovland area. They were also cleared by MnDOT.

The Cook County Highway Department responded to clear trees down on Old Ski Hill Road and at the east end of County Road 60. The tree down on County Road 60 completely blocked the roadway.

Motorists are reminded to drive with caution during this winter storm, because of icy roads and sometimes white out conditions, but also because of the possibility of downed trees in the roadway.

Also a victim to the high winds was the large community Christmas tree at Harbor Park in Grand Marais. Grand Marais Parks Director Dave Tersteeg said city crews will get the tree back up before the holiday celebration Friday, Nov. 25.

The first big storm and snowfall is expected this weekend. High winds and heavy wet snow could bring downed trees and powerlines inland from the shore. WTIP’s Jay Andersen spoke with National Weather Service Meteorologist Carol Christenson about what to expect from this storm.

During a meeting of the Cook County Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 15, County Administrator Jeff Cadwell and the president of the Cook County Employee’s Association disagreed on a variety of topics, including interpretations of the county’s labor agreement.

Representing the Cook County Employee’s Association was Bill Lane, who serves as the CCEA president.

The Maple Hill Cemetery is a small cemetery outside of Grand Marais. It's a lovely place, located high on a hill overlooking Lake Superior.

In this edition of The Lake Superior Project, WTIP's Martha Marnocha takes a walk through the cemetery with two local residents, Sherrie and Jeannie, to reflect on stories of loss, love and remembrance.

Dana Logan is a Grand Portage band member who recently visited the protector camps near the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Dana about her third and most recent trip to North Dakota and the frontlines of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

This is the week winter arrives, but probably not with a big blizzard, but more like rain and maybe a little snow. WTIP’s Jay Andersen spoke with National Weather Service Meteorologist Carol Christenson.